A Quick Guide to VoIP

What is VoIP?

VoIP stands for Voice over Internet Protocol. Even if you haven’t heard of VoIP before, you may have used it without even realising it. For example – have you ever used the internet to call family or friends using applications such as WhatsApp or FaceBook Messenger? That’s VoIP!

A VoIP system may be a bit more complex than a business telephone system (PBX), however as a valuable trade-off it also offers far greater flexibility. VoIP is also highly versatile, allowing you to contact anyone around the world, from anywhere.

How Does VoIP Work?

In a nutshell, VoIP works by taking your voice and transforming it into digital data so it can be sent over the internet, using a technology called packet-switched protocols. Think of it like an electronic post office system, where packets are placed into an electronic envelope and sent to different destinations over the internet.

What are the Benefits of VoIP?

VoIP is great for businesses big and small. It offers excellent voice quality that rivals a landline – and can even surpass it.

But there’s more to VoIP than simply making and receiving calls. New services such as instant messaging, teleconferencing, video conferencing and email voicemail have made VoIP a multi-purpose communication tool.

Mobile Twinning and Hunt Groups

Mobile twinning allows calls to ring on both desk and mobile phones simultaneously. This is particularly great for businesses, where every call could be potentially valuable. Hunt groups also allow calls to effectively bounce between agents or even different branches.

Remote Working and Call Recording

The ability to work remotely is becoming a top priority for employees. Voice over Internet Protocol allows workers to connect to each other in real-time, from anywhere.

And management features such as call recording means you can play back important calls – gathering key details at your own pace.

Cost Savings

Thanks to cloud services, small and medium businesses have been finding it much easier to make the switch to VoIP, so it’s not just a tool for larger organisations any more. And with fierce competition and wider availability, the cost of a business-wide integrated VoIP system is expected to decrease even further.

Are you looking for a feature-rich, future-proof IP voice solution? Riviera VoIP has recently launched a fully cloud-based service that gives you an easier and more cost-effective way to manage all your telephony needs. To find out more contact us today.